Project Cars--You Get to Vote on "Hold 'em or Fold 'em"

oldfarmer50 · November 2023

fintail said:
Used Cars:

BOGO

Row your own hoe, those seats, looks clean enough - getting scarce like this

Honeycomb

BEAUTIFUL!

Paint scheme is a bit hipster, big Idaho energy maybe

Grandpa's baby

Attractive restomod, but needs those issues resolved and then cheaper

Smooth durable 25 year old used car

New pics, it's not selling

Foxy

Assuming good mechanicals I’d take that Explorer in a heartbeat. You can’t get anything here that rust free for that price.

I like that 91’ DeVille, my son had a 93’ with the 4.9L. It wasn’t as powerful as the Northstar but was the best of that engine series. Enough back seat room to install a pool table.

That Lexus looks like a good transportation buy although I have trouble accepting 121k as “low mileage” even on a Lexus.

explorerx4 · November 2023

That Explorer might have manual locking hubs.

sda · November 2023

tjc78 said:

sda said:
The 91 DeVille has the optional Bose, probably very rare in an low optioned car. Looks decent overall.
Other than leather what is that Caddy missing? Looks pretty loaded for the time.

You are correct, I overlooked several features. Astroroof and leather are two that come to mind that would be nice. I wonder if the driver’s seat would clean up nicely. A thorough interior detail would make a huge difference.

qbrozen · November 2023

Lord help me, I also like the Explorer

steine13 · November 2023

The Explorer is the pick of that litter. I'd buy it for the sheer coolness of it. But "great winter car?" Here in mid-Michigan it would dissolve away.
It's a amazing the difference a ~~little~~ lot of salt makes...

The Lexus is another solid choice.

tjc78 · November 2023

The Grand Marquis would most likely outlast anything on the list.

steine13 · November 2023

>> The Grand Marquis would most likely outlast anything on the list.
..even the Lexus?

I had that drivetrain in an '03, and it was rust did the car in.. the engine soldiers on in another van in Northern Michigan..220k when it was transplanted. Ran like new, long-term problem was a coolant leak of the block, by a freeze plug. Stop-leak held it for the last year with us.

A friend has a Crown Vic from the mid-aughties, and while it still runs fine, he's had problems with leaks, AC, power steering..all typical ones. It'll 'never' stop running and driving, but the economics will do it in.

My money's on the Camry clone.

Also wanted to add:
Doesn't that Explorer bring back the memories? Almost makes me want to roll it

cheers -mathias

stickguy · November 2023

I would try not to drive my winter beater when the salt was down either, but at least I would not be afraid to. I also go to the touchless wash with the underbody rinse any time I know it got salt on it. Unless it goes above freezing and I drag the house out.

QBs Xterra would be a great winter car. Disposable, and really good in the snow.

explorerx4 · November 2023

The Lexus has a check engine light that the mechanic can't diagnose.

stickguy · November 2023

explorerx4 said:
The Lexus has a check engine light that the mechanic can't diagnose.

there you go, reading all the details instead of just looking at the pictures and the headline!

yes, that is concerning. And I would bet the reason they bought a new car. Also sounds like a lot of deferred maintenance if they needed a major rehab. An evap code is not that hard to diagnose. But an "air flow" issue is an odd way to word a leaking gas cap (and that is the easiest thing to shoot the parts cannon at)

tjc78 · November 2023

I’d take the Panther over the Lexus. They are truly tough to kill and easy to fix. Parts are cheap and plentiful.

I’ve been in Town Cars with 600k on the clock.

stickguy · November 2023

I could not see myself ever driving a crown vic though. I don't care if it will outlast the cockroaches.

tjc78 · November 2023

You think you hate it now… wait till you drive it.

stickguy · November 2023

Oh Clark....

kyfdx · November 2023

stickguy said:
I could not see myself ever driving a crown vic though. I don't care if it will outlast the cockroaches.

I've been in the back seat...

gsemike · November 2023

Taurus SHO

With 146k and a new electrical problem, it may be time to move on from the BMW X5. I'm liking this and hoping some of you guys may be familiar with these.

2011 Taurus SHO

I'm a hyrid worker and take the train when I do go in so may only be looking at 8k to 10k miles a year. What to look out for?

qbrozen · November 2023

I am very fond of those and always have my eye out for them

explorerx4 · November 2023

The left front fender and the drivers door are different shades of gray.
Water pump is an expensive repair on those 3.5's.
I would invest in a Carfax if you are interested.
Anyone notice the Merkur in the background of some of the pics?

gsemike · November 2023

@explorerx4 said:
The left front fender and the drivers door are different shades of gray.
Water pump is an expensive repair on those 3.5's.
I would invest in a Carfax if you are interested.
Anyone notice the Merkur in the background of some of the pics?

I did. I guess he's a Ford man

qbrozen · November 2023

explorerx4 said:

Water pump is an expensive repair on those 3.5's.

Well that may have cured me of ever wanting one. This is just part 2, but it is the more important bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fLg9CeGUZY

texases · November 2023

Holy moly! That's a LOT of work!!

gsemike · November 2023

qbrozen said:

explorerx4 said:

Water pump is an expensive repair on those 3.5's.
Well that may have cured me of ever wanting one. This is just part 2, but it is the more important bit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fLg9CeGUZY

Wow, that is truly frightening. A car that can be totally by a bad water pump

I guess the question is wht is the life expectancy on the water pump?

xwesx · November 2023

Such a PITA, but not an uncommon occurrence. Many vehicles' water pumps are driven by the timing belt/chain as opposed to an auxiliary serpentine belt.

texases · November 2023

True, but at least with timing belts the pump gets replaced every time the belt does, which usually is easier than this job.

This reminds me of the Audi 4.2 L V8 timing chain problems.

edit: well, maybe not THAT bad:

gsemike · November 2023

texases said:
True, but at least with timing belts the pump gets replaced every time the belt does, which usually is easier than this job.

This reminds me of the Audi 4.2 L V8 timing chain problems.

edit: well, maybe not THAT bad:

Jesus, I'll see that in my nightmares

I guess that this is a product of trnasverse mounted engines and the need to decrease the depth of the engine.

texases · November 2023

I think the Audi V8 is longitudinally mounted, but with the timing chains against the fire wall. Engine removal required, and the repair is pretty common.

stickguy · November 2023

I watch a lot of repair videos (having no life to speak of) and the way some bays are packed in, it really could be quicker overall to pull the engine so you can get at everything.

steine13 · November 2023

LOL I have that Audi picture saved somewhere, and when I get indecent thoughts about owning one, I look at it for a while.

Also you're totally wrong about this part.
>> timing chain problems
...because the CHAINS are fine.

It's the plastic tensioners that go bad, in turn fouling the chains, of course.
Nobody could have seen that coming

It's a truly inspiring storyline -- the sheer idiocy of it, and yet you can follow along step-by-perfectly-reasonable-step. I particularly like the part where the guy must have said, I have an idea, let's rotate the engine 180 degrees for better packaging, since we never need to get at the timing chain!

That's why you can buy an older A8 for chump change, and shouldn't.

cheers -mathias

fintail · November 2023

Some cars I wouldn't take for free. Old A8 is one of them. I'd probably even rather risk a V12 W220 MB than an A8, insane but less insane.

andres3 · November 2023

A 4.2 Audi V8 Timing Chain job should be mandatory apprentice training for all car mechanics. This would lower the cost of the service.

It was a fortune even when my ultimate Audi indy shop was only charging $115/hour just not that long ago. Inflation is killer, it's $156/hour now. Can't blame them, most every other specialty German auto shop charges much more here in San Diego.

fintail · November 2023

Special Vehicles:

This has to be the same seller as the bustleback Continental - curbstoner who likes a certain era

You can't get there from here

They've advertised this off and on for at least a couple years, maybe a consignment. Price was originally much more - now it is a fair deal. Either something went wrong or they are finally serious about selling it (I kind of like it, Euro car with woolcloth velour)

Needs a lot more pics for this price - come on lazies, you are paying for the ad

It'll last forever

Could only be more malaise if it was somehow a diesel

These seem to be underrated cars, I have seen them with decent odometer readings (I prefer the looks of the first gen)

Someone gave up, package deal

These appear to now be considered vintage - I'd only pay that for a Twister re-creation

Thin on the ground in this spec - and I detest these apparent AI-written ads (the AI ads from dingaling local realtors are 100x worse)

Seldom-seen now, you are paying for an ad - provide more pics and no original promo pics allowed

stickguy · November 2023

I like the Mazda pickup

tjc78 · November 2023

Eldo would be so nice in white or black. That yellow is awful

sda · November 2023

Eldo seems to be missing the ac compressor. Auto Climate Control, ha! I do like the 78 MB, especially the cloth interior.

oldfarmer50 · November 2023

stickguy said:
I like the Mazda pickup

Isn’t that a Ford Ranger?

stickguy · November 2023

That was the Mazda. Ranger came later and Mazda got a rebadge of that.

explorerx4 · November 2023

Not sure if Fintail is going to happy or sad watching this.
Fast forward to about 2:15 for the start of the real action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T5mCaWmXQc

fintail · November 2023

Ha, I saw that the other day. Pretty respectable performance from a 30+ year old car with a not overly powerful I6. Almost like the chase could be a MB commercial.

Sad to see one get wrecked, but they aren't rare, and plenty of both good and neglected ones are still out there - pretty good survival rate on W126 I think, as build quality is immense and they are generally solidly engineered.

oldfarmer50 · November 2023

fintail said:
Ha, I saw that the other day. Pretty respectable performance from a 30+ year old car with a not overly powerful I6. Almost like the chase could be a MB commercial.

Sad to see one get wrecked, but they aren't rare, and plenty of both good and neglected ones are still out there - pretty good survival rate on W126 I think, as build quality is immense and they are generally solidly engineered.

Wow, Georgia troopers don’t mess around. Here in NY they’d discontinue the chase and send him a fruit basket the next day to make up for his emotional trauma.

gsemike · November 2023

Thanksgiving shopping on Long Island

This Marquis looks well preserved Get into the ride sharing biz maybe

Whose got a spare small block

The mileage claim for this Cougar may be legit Real Grandpa special. Always hated the center console with column shift on these

Grandpa special Toyota truck Never see these like this anymore here

AMC Matador The Mercury wagon may be more interesting

Mitsu 3000 Unfortunately looks pretty base and worn out

xwesx · November 2023

I like the little pickup. That would be perfect to have at my Ohio place for a runabout.

tjc78 · November 2023

That Cougar is about as base as I’ve ever seen.

kyfdx · November 2023

"minimal rust, compared to other Tacomas"

texases · November 2023

That awkward roof on the Cougar has never grown on me.

steine13 · November 2023

Ya, the Tacoma pictures are carefully taken. It looks great -- from above and 50 feet.
On the other hand, at < $5 they're not trying to hurt anyone.

stickguy · November 2023

Frame issues scare me. Sounds like it rotted out and they just hacked some metal onto it. I would want that one carefully looked at underneath.

fintail · November 2023

oldfarmer50 said:

fintail said:
Ha, I saw that the other day. Pretty respectable performance from a 30+ year old car with a not overly powerful I6. Almost like the chase could be a MB commercial.

Sad to see one get wrecked, but they aren't rare, and plenty of both good and neglected ones are still out there - pretty good survival rate on W126 I think, as build quality is immense and they are generally solidly engineered.
Wow, Georgia troopers don’t mess around. Here in NY they’d discontinue the chase and send him a fruit basket the next day to make up for his emotional trauma.

Same here - they need to have some kind of "cause" to chase I think, although I think the lives of troopers lost in chases and probable lawsuits from crashes or damage from chases might be part of it.

fintail · November 2023

That Tacoma would sell in 10 seconds at that price here, but they generally don't dissolve here either

Cougar looks like it has those porous polycast wheels, maybe the only option (I am certain generic wire caps were standard, or should have been maybe). I too prefer the Bird of that generation.

AMC looks like pics were taken by a phone camera from 1978.

gsemike · November 2023

@texases said:
That awkward roof on the Cougar has never grown on me.

Agree. Give them credit for differentiating it from the T-bird but the rear window always looked too vertical for me

gsemike · November 2023

@stickguy said:
Frame issues scare me. Sounds like it rotted out and they just hacked some metal onto it. I would want that one carefully looked at underneath.

Yes, a good thorough look is needed

Project Cars--You Get to Vote on "Hold 'em or Fold 'em"

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